The fight over the proposal to privatize Cincinnati's parking system continues. As part of that agreement the city says private companies would operate the parking meters and garages. But those privateMore >>

As part of that agreement the city says private companies would operate the parking meters and garages. But those private companies would not control the rates, hours or enforcement. So what is the city not telling you?More >>

While the City Administration's $92 million dollar parking lease has yet to gain the official green light from council, the question of how to spend the potential windfall remains equally unresolved. IfMore >>

While the City Administration's $92 million dollar parking lease has yet to gain the official green light from council, the question of how to spend the potential windfall remains equally unresolved.More >>

City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. is presenting details of the administration's proposed plan for the city's parking facilities to City Council's Budget and Finance Committee at its regular meeting on Tuesday.More >>

We got our first look at the proposed private parking plan. See what it means to your parking inside this story.More >>

Cincinnati's Administration is continuing to pursue a public-private partnership option to overhaul the city's parking system, a system already going on in Indianapolis.More >>

Cincinnati's Administration is continuing to pursue a public-private partnership option to overhaul the city's parking system, a system already going on in Indianapolis. More >>

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -

Cincinnati City Manager Milton Dohoney issued a memo to city council on Wednesday, saying that rejecting the privatized parking proposal could cause cuts to the city's fire and police departments.

During 2013 budget negotiations, council developed what they called 'Plan B,' which required cuts to several city departments and the elimination of 344 positions.

The Administration decided it would be best to avoid the 'Plan B' scenario and instead chose to seek an alternative, which Dohoney says is the proposed privatized parking plan.

Under the parking plan, the city would receive $92 million up front and $3 million a year. That money would go to several downtown projects.

"Should we decide not do a parking deal, or find an alternative source of revenue, I willimmediately move into cut mode because we have a legal obligation to balance the budget," Dohoney said in the memo.

The Plan B would include over $950,000 in administrative departments, over $7.6 million in Fire and over $10.4 million in Police. The cuts to fire department would include the fire recruit class and 80 firefighter positions. The cuts to police would include the recruit class, 189 sworn and non-sworn positions and mounted patrol.

"These are cuts beyond those already incorporated into the 2013-14 budget. To be clear, even with the parking deal, the City will have to make budget cuts over the next two years in order to balance the biennial budget," said Dohoney.

A public hearing was held Wednesday evening, and several residents came to voice their opinion to council.

"You always threaten to cut our police and fire services. If that's the best you can do, then maybe you should do it. Because the failure of our city council to fiscally be responsible to your citizens will possibly help the public know who to vote for in the next election," said one woman.

"I go downtown occasionally for business. It costs like $4 to be down there to file one document. If the rates go up anymore, nobody I know is going to go downtown just for entertainment," said another.

The privatized parking proposal will go to committee on Friday before council has a final vote.